2013 Acura Ilx: Problems & Reliability
CAUTION2013 Acura ILX: CAUTION — 66 owner complaints, 3.1× the ILX median year by raw count; top issue: air bags (25 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2013 is 1.58, where 1.00 is a typical ILX year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60. 38% of its complaints are severe — a crash, fire, injury or a safety-critical system.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2013–2022 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
66
NHTSA complaints
3.1×
vs. median ILX year
64
Service bulletins
6
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2013 Acura ILX problems
Air bags is the clear leader, named in 38% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2013 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 25 | 38% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 21% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 9 | 14% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 9% |
| Engine | 6 | 9% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2013 Acura ILX recalls
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2013, reported between Jul 19, 2012 and Dec 10, 2020.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V770000 | Dec 10, 2020 | Powertrain / transmission › Driveline › Driveshaft |
| 19V500000 | Jun 27, 2019 | Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module |
| 19V182000 | Mar 6, 2019 | Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module |
| 16V061000 | Feb 3, 2016 | Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module |
| 14V323000 | Jun 13, 2014 | Exterior lighting › Headlights |
| 12V338000 | Jul 19, 2012 | Latches, locks & linkages › Doors › Latch |
2013 Acura ILX service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 64 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2013 — close to the 65 of the median ILX year from 2013 to 2022. Coded bulletins most often cover air bags (33), electrical system (16), powertrain / transmission (3). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2013 vs. the year before and after
The 2014 that followed fell by more than half (66 → 29), so the 2014 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 (this page) | CAUTION | 66 | 64 | 6 | — |
| 2014 ILX | SOLID | 29 | 48 | 5 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Acura ILX years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2013 Acura ILX
Air bags (25 complaints on the 2013): confirm the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that every air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
Electrical system (14 complaints on the 2013): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Powertrain / transmission (9 complaints on the 2013): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Engine (6 complaints on the 2013): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Service brakes (6 complaints on the 2013): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Recalls: confirm all 6 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2013 Acura Ilx — then negotiate it
Years-to-avoid tells you which year. Search live listings to see the target price and what verified buyers actually paid for it.
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FAQ
Is the 2013 Acura ILX reliable?
2013 Acura ILX: CAUTION — 66 owner complaints, 3.1× the ILX median year by raw count; top issue: air bags (25 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2013 is 1.58, where 1.00 is a typical ILX year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; caution starts at 1.25 and avoid at 1.60.
What are the most common 2013 Acura ILX problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2013 Acura ILX are air bags (25, 38%), electrical system (14, 21%), powertrain / transmission (9, 14%). The manufacturer has 64 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2013 Acura ILX have?
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2013 Acura ILX, most recently 20V770000 (Dec 10, 2020, powertrain / transmission); 19V500000 (Jun 27, 2019, air bags); 19V182000 (Mar 6, 2019, air bags). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2013 Acura Ilx before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2013 Acura ILX come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.